Customer Reviews

The Faith of the Christian Church: An Introduction to Theology

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I have to say, I am very surprised that this book has been out for a few years and there are no reviews of it yet. This is a very will written and substantial theology that I believe deserves a wide reading audience.

Though Tyron Inbody has not written a highly novel or pioneering theology, he has excelled in two very important areas. First, he has gleaned much of the best of contemporary theology, especially process and neo-trinitarian thought and digested it well enough to offer to a wide range of Christian readers.

Secondly, he has presented his synthesis of Christian theology in a very clear and engaging manner. Try reading the works of most academic theologians and I am sure that this feature will be a very welcome gift! :) This is a great theology for the beginning student or serious "layperson" not to mention the church teacher or pastor.

A great reason I enjoy this work so much, is that it is a wonderful wedding of the old with the new. Inbody is no maverick, he is a veteran seminary professor who has served his Wesleyan community for decades. Look through the index of the book and you'll see references to Wesley, Calvin, Luther and Augustine mixed with Moltmann, Cobb, LuCugna and Suchocki. This is seasoned, moderate work by a master scholar who has carefully thought it all through from years of interaction with his students.

For those wanting other readable perspectives to weigh in beside Inbody, I couldn't think of a better trifecta than Faith Seeking Understanding: An Introduction to Christian Theology by Daniel L. Migliore (moderate Reformed) and God-the World's Future (moderate Lutheran) by Ted Peters. All provide substantive theological discussion combined with readability. But by all means, have Inbody close-at-hand!

I have read other books by Dr.Inbody and was privileged to have him for a teacher. Oddly enough it was the Senior Pastor in our church who chose the book without consultation with the other staff members. I was thrilled with the choice.
We used this book as a study tool for adults who wanted to explore their faith more thoroughly and understand their faith more clearly. We are still completing the study, but the discussions have been lively and revealing for all of us. The persons in the study came from all walks of life and represented most age-groups, gender, and educational level. No one felt that the book was too geared to the academic market.
It is a good book. Thought provoking and challenging, much like the author.

Bought it for someone else - didn't read it - got tired of the "please review" emails.